UMass Selected To Face Syracuse In NCAA Tournament Opening Round

Release: 11/07/2012

Nov. 7, 2012

AMHERST, Mass. - No. 16 UMass field hockey was selected to face No. 5 Syracuse in the opening round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, as announced by the organization through its selection show on Tuesday evening. The berth into the tournament marks the 23rd in the history of the Minutewomen program and first for head coach Carla Tagliente, who is in her second season with UMass.

The Minutewomen, Syracuse and No. 17 Albany will travel to No. 3 Penn State for opening round competition, with the Nittany Lions and Great Danes facing off to complete the pod.

UMass and the Orange have met once before during the current campaign, with UMass claiming victory, 2-1 over No. 1 Syracuse at Garber Field on Oct. 11. Senior defender Thando Zono recorded the eventual game-winner while freshman midfielder Noralie Weusthuis tallied the tying mark as the Minutewomen overcame a one-goal deficit. Since the first meeting of the season, UMass has played undefeated field hockey, winning 10 consecutive games including the contest with the Orange.